Prep work never done for Patriots

FOXBORO 
The Patriots held their final practice of the week on Friday, but that doesn’t mean preparations for Sunday’s AFC Championship against the Ravens at Gillette Stadium are over.

Far from it.

“You use all the time you’ve got, so it goes right up to game time,” quarterback Tom Brady said. “I don’t think you ever really let down or stop thinking about the game. Certainly I don’t. So the preparation started as soon as our game ended last week, and you just try and put as much as you can into it, and hopefully it is enough.”

Brady threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Patriots past the Texans in the AFC divisional round and to the AFC title game for the seventh time in his career.

Brady will tie Brett Favre for most postseason starts by a quarterback (24), and if the Patriots beat the Ravens, Brady will be off to his sixth Super Bowl, matching defensive lineman Mike Lodish, who played in four with Buffalo and two with Denver.

“I like to be playing this time of year,” Brady said. “There is nothing more exciting than this. I certainly have had experience in these types of games, but it only really matters if you go out and play well.”

As Brady moves up postseason lists and breaks more playoff records, veteran wide receiver Deion Branch said preparation is what sets Brady apart.

“It never ends with Tom,” Branch said. “This goes from the game last Sunday to him starting to prepare for Baltimore right after the game. And it goes all the way to Saturday. Trust me, we’re going over stuff Saturday morning, Saturday night. Sunday morning before the game in the meetings, we’re still going over things. It’s always good to be prepared for an opponent like the Ravens.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick seemed pleased with his team’s efforts this week. New England had full participation at Friday’s practice.

“I think the players have done a good job this week,” Belichick said. “They’ve worked hard to get the scouting report and new information on the Ravens, practiced well, I think we’ve had good energy. I think the team is excited to play. If you can’t get excited for the AFC Championship Game, I don’t know what you can get excited for. This is what we’ve worked for all year, this opportunity.”

Harbaugh’s big start
While Belichick’s NFL legacy is firmly established, Ravens coach John Harbaugh is still working on his, but it’s off to a good start.

Harbaugh has guided the Ravens to the postseason in each of his five seasons, and this marks the third time Baltimore has played in the AFC Championship under Harbaugh.

Harbaugh is the only coach in NFL history to win a playoff game in each of his first five seasons and the only coach to advance to three conference title games in his first five years.

“There’s not a lot of time for reflection at this point,” Harbaugh said. “The task at hand is so daunting in front of us and such a great opportunity, you really think about that more than anything else. So that’s what we’re looking at.”

Since 2008, Harbaugh’s first year, the Ravens have won 61 games (including the playoffs), ranking second to the Patriots, who have won 63 in that span.

If the Ravens beat the Patriots, Harbaugh might have a chance to face younger brother Jim, coach of the 49ers, in the Super Bowl. The 49ers play the Falcons in Sunday’s NFC Championship at 3.

“Like everybody, I’m sure I’ll see the score for the game and everything,” Harbaugh said. “I’ll be pulling hard for the 49ers. I can’t get emotionally wrapped up in that stuff. Obviously, there will be focus on our game, but I’m proud of Jim. He’s a great coach. He’s the toughest competitor that I have ever seen. I’ve had to compete with him and deal with him since he was born. He’s a handful.”

Taking on a brother
Speaking of brothers, Patriots rookie defensive end Chandler Jones and his older brother, Ravens third-year defensive lineman Arthur Jones, will be on opposing sidelines Sunday.

“It’s fortunate to have the opportunity to play against my brother,” Chandler said, “but it all boils down to us trying to win and achieve that goal.”

Chandler, who suffered an ankle injury in last weekend’s game against the Texans, was a full participant in Friday’s practice and is listed as probable for Sunday’s game. Marquice Cole, Nick McDonald, Trevor Scott and Danny Woodhead are also probable.

Arthur has five tackles in the Ravens’ first two playoff games. Arthur said he and Chandler have spoken during the week.

“We’ve been going back and forth talking crap,” Arthur said. “Really, I’ve just been seeing how he’s doing. I know he got rolled up bad last week, so I was trying to figure out if he was going to play or not and get the inside scoop. But he’s doing a good job not telling me anything.”

This will mark the second time the Jones brothers have played against each other this year. They kept the sibling rivalry low-key before the Patriots and Ravens played in September, too.

“I think more of the stress goes on your family because they kind of want both sides to win, but when you’re a part of it, all you want is your side to win, ” said Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who played his twin, Titans corner Jason McCourty, this season. “You don’t really care about your brother losing.”

Among the Jones family members expected to be at Gillette Stadium is middle brother Jon “Bones” Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion.

“It is definitely a great moment in sports,” Arthur said. “It’s unbelievable. We are definitely a blessed family.”

Accepting lesser role
Branch had one of the more interesting seasons of his 11-year career. He was cut at the end of training camp, then signed the week before the Patriots’ Sept. 23 game at Baltimore. He played in six games, suffered a hamstring injury and was released again. He returned Dec. 12 and assumed a diminished role.

Branch wasn’t even targeted in last week’s game against the Texans. He finished the regular season with 16 receptions for 145 yards, both career lows, and did not score a touchdown.

“I didn’t think I was this patient,” Branch said when asked what he has learned about himself this season. “I think me, starting in the NFL for so long, and now the role that I have, I didn’t know if I could do it. And now I see that I can because the role is bigger than just me.

“You want to be out on the field starting every game and contributing, and I want to do all those things, but at the same time when coach needs me to go in on third down, I just have to do my job. That is one of the things that I’ve learned and I accept it and I’m going to roll with whatever coach needs me to do.”

Branch, the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX, is the Patriots’ all-time leader in postseason receiving yards with 836.